TPW TV: Black Bears Return
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
This is Passport to Texas
The Black bears population in Texas has dwindled because of habitat destruction. But on a parks and Wildlife TV segment this month, we learn they’re making a comeback. Producer Abe Moore.
59—I was really interested in doing the story because I didn’t really know much about black bears. And it turns out that more and more bears are starting to show up in certain parts of east Texas.
The adjoining states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana have a growing, expanding bear population. And they’re spilling over into east Texas and will continue to do so.
So, what I did is I followed a graduate student from Stephen F. Austin State University working on a bear study, and what he’s doing is he’s setting up barbed wire wrapped around some trees. The bear rubs against the barbed wire and leaves a hair sample, so they can get a feel for where the bears are in east Texas.
That’s a ripe one. Uh, the lure we use is 3:1 mixture of cattle blood and fish oil.
The crazy part of this was the type of bait they use to lure ‘them in.
We let it age about four months, and then bottle it up into individual one-liter bottles. 100% guaranteed maggot free. Well, I wouldn’t say that. [laughs].
So, this was a study to see where the bears are hanging out in East Texas, and where the best bear habitat is.
Thanks Abe.
The show airs on PBS the week of January 8 through 14. Check your local listings.
The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motor boat fuel….
For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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